Joan Kiziminski DePriest, 85, passed away on April 16, 2022, at James River Convalescent and Rehab Center in Newport News, Virginia, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Born January 27, 1937, in Valley Grove, West Virginia, she was one of eleven children born to Steve and Catherine Kiziminski.  Joan graduated from Triadelphia High School in 1954 in Wheeling, West Virginia.  Following graduation, she was employed by West Virginia and Pennsylvania Supply Corp. in Triadelphia, West Virginia.  She married Charles DePriest in October 1965 and they moved to Hampton, Virginia, in 1966, and then to Newport News, in 1972.  In Newport News she worked for the Newport News Public School system as a secretary in the Administration Dept., retiring in 1993 as secretary to the Superintendent of Newport News Public Schools.

Joan was a member of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Newport News and later at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hampton.
She was active in her community, serving in several PTAs, the Newport News Woman’s Club, Newport News Reading Council, and volunteering at the Riverside Hospital Cancer Services Center (she was, herself, a cancer survivor), Meals on Wheels, and Edmarc Hospice for Children.

Among her enjoyments were square dancing, traveling, working in the yard, and walking her little Bichon Frise dog, whom she loved very much.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents, Catherine and Steve Kiziminski; brothers, Carl and Edward Kiziminski; and sisters, Lucille Virostick, Catherine “Kate” Chess, Frances Hewell, Marcella Stuart, Mary Ann Kiziminski, and Virginia Baker.  She is survived by her son, Brian; brother, Thomas Kiziminski (Barbara “Janey”); sister, Helen “Betty” Kiziminski; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022, at Peninsula Memorial Park.  

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.